2007 Saturn Relay w/3.9L w/125K miles. (Same as Chevy Uplander and Buick Terezza) Wife's vehicle. I think this GM 3.9L is/has been used in several different vehicles.
About 8 months ago vehicle started running hot on occasion. Took it to a local mechanic who changed the thermostat. It was better for a few months but then started acting as if overheated although had no symptoms of being hot other than temp gauge pegged and a message of being in overheat protection AC Shut off and it puts both fans in high speed. After some research determined a bad Coolant Temp Sensor would cause those symptoms. Mechanic changed that about 3 months ago and all has been well since until about 2 weeks ago. Wife complained it was doing some of the same as previously described about running hot but no symptoms of it actually being hot. (However that may be an incorrect assesment) I checked it a few times and all looked OK. However she mentioned it happened again Friday so yesterday I take a look at it and for the first time it is low on coolant. The overflow tank is empty and it takes maybe a quart (maybe a little less) to fill up the coolant once I removed the cap and then I fill up the overflow. I decided to try to make sure no bubble(s) in the system so I hook up the lisle spill proof funnel and fill it about a fourth to third full. I start up the vehicle and see a few small bubbles coming up but nothing abnormal. After about 8 to 10 minutes of running the coolant violently bubbles and explodes out the funnel. I shut it off, clean up the mess, let it cool down a bit and try again. I get the same result. I have not used this funnel a whole lot but the few times I have I never got this kind of result.
Any idea what would/could cause this?
Thanks
About 8 months ago vehicle started running hot on occasion. Took it to a local mechanic who changed the thermostat. It was better for a few months but then started acting as if overheated although had no symptoms of being hot other than temp gauge pegged and a message of being in overheat protection AC Shut off and it puts both fans in high speed. After some research determined a bad Coolant Temp Sensor would cause those symptoms. Mechanic changed that about 3 months ago and all has been well since until about 2 weeks ago. Wife complained it was doing some of the same as previously described about running hot but no symptoms of it actually being hot. (However that may be an incorrect assesment) I checked it a few times and all looked OK. However she mentioned it happened again Friday so yesterday I take a look at it and for the first time it is low on coolant. The overflow tank is empty and it takes maybe a quart (maybe a little less) to fill up the coolant once I removed the cap and then I fill up the overflow. I decided to try to make sure no bubble(s) in the system so I hook up the lisle spill proof funnel and fill it about a fourth to third full. I start up the vehicle and see a few small bubbles coming up but nothing abnormal. After about 8 to 10 minutes of running the coolant violently bubbles and explodes out the funnel. I shut it off, clean up the mess, let it cool down a bit and try again. I get the same result. I have not used this funnel a whole lot but the few times I have I never got this kind of result.
Any idea what would/could cause this?
Thanks